2008 Economic Impact Awards Finalist, CPA Firms: Kirkpatrick, Phillips & Miller

And with 90 percent of its client base in southwest Missouri, the locally owned full-service certified public accounting firm drives dollars through its payroll and support of local businesses, says President and Managing Shareholder Mike Redmon, who’s been with KPM for 32 years.

KPM was founded in 1966 and posted 2007 revenues of $9.7 million. Its service areas include accounting, auditing, tax consulting, investments, technology, litigation evaluation, financial institutions and manufacturing, Redmon says. Another service area involves divorce work that requires an evaluation of assets for equitable distribution.

The company offers a form of one-stop shopping, adding services as demand requires.

In 2004, for instance, KPM added KPM added investments for its clients.

“We do a large number of individual tax returns … and then we have a pretty large practice of doctors, engineers, architects and business owners,” he explains.

Growth

KPM’s forensic work comes into play when a client suspects fraud; in addition to investigating, KPM also will set up controls that aren’t often in place to begin with.

“It’s the sexy part of accounting,” Redmon jokes.

KPM Technology – an affiliated company added in 1999 that offers such services as software and hardware design, Web development and network consulting – represents one growth area.

“Basically, we had a lot of clients who needed that kind of help, and it was above our expertise,” Redmon says.

KPM bought a sole proprietorship to create KPM Technology, which serves companies too small to hire a full-time information technology department, he says.

In 2007, KPM was recognized by Springfield Business Journal as one of its Best Places to Work in the 25-to-100-employee category.

At the time, KPM Marketing Director Vickie Hicks told SBJ that the firm’s benefits package is designed to attract and retain quality employees in the accounting market, where demand outstrips supply.

KPM’s clients encompass a wide variety of fields, from manufacturing, distribution, construction and agriculture to architecture, law, medicine and nonprofits.

Redmon believes part of KPM’s economic impact on Springfield comes through its efforts to help local businesses succeed and grow.

Shareholder Mike Phillips agrees, noting the economic effects of KPM’s payroll.

“First, the amount of salaries we provide to the employees here that go back into the community and second, hopefully the good advice we give our clients (have an impact),” he says.

Community involvement

KPM’s employees also are invested in their communities, Redmon says.

“Our employees are involved in 60 different volunteer organizations,” he says, noting that the efforts represent thousands of volunteer hours.

And because Springfield tends to weather tough economic times that can hit?other areas of the country hard, KPM’s business remains fairly level.

“It can slow. It usually won’t go down,” Redmon says.

“Most of it, though, is pretty steady. If the bank needs an audit, they still get an audit.”

Kirkpatrick, Phillips & Miller CPAs PC

Address: 2003 E. Sunshine St., Ste. A, Springfield, MO 65804

Web: www.kpmcpa.com

Employees: 70

2007 Revenues: $9.7 million

Information accurate at the time of the honor.[[In-content Ad]]